The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or less. However, they come with a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to simplify the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in, press a button and let it brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. pod coffee makers It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's a little more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a low cost. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.